President Barack Obama visited a pre-kindergarten class in South Shore, Illinois, on Dec. 12, 2023. He read a book to the children, and then distributed toys and winter accessories to each child. Photo credit: Chicago Sun Times

A Chalkboard Champion can appear in many forms. To about 20 children in a pre-kindergarten class in South Shore, Illinois, he appeared in the form of President Barack Obama!

The former president was smiling as he entered the classroom at Parkside Community Academy, located at 6938 S. East End Ave. in South Shore, a suburb of Chicago. He smiled and greeted the children as he entered the room—wearing a Santa cap and hauling a red sack full of gifts slung over his shoulder. Obama made the surprise holiday visit just before winter break as a way of spreading holiday cheer in the community.

Obama has always been a huge supporter of public education. In fact, he has experience as a former college professor. So he shared his passion for learning by first reading a holiday story to the children. His selection? Santa’s Gotta Go by Derrick Barnes. As he read, he cracked jokes that made the children and the teachers laugh. “He called Mrs. Claus babe!” Obama quipped after reading a portion of the book. After he concluded the reading, he distributed toys and winter accessories to each student in the classroom.

“For him to take the time to come here out of his busy schedule to read a book, it just shows that he is still a leader,” asserted teacher Debra Gardner, who has taught at Parkside for nearly three decades.

Fifth grade teacher Ashley Barrett agreed. “I just thought it was so great that they were able to listen to a story from him, and they were interactive,” she said. “When they grow up, they can do something great [like] be a president.”

The visitation occurred on Tues., Dec. 12, 2023.